Aircraft passenger seating unit and passenger seating arrangement

ABSTRACT

A layout of passenger seats in an aircraft cabin including a first passenger seat positioned in a forward-facing direction and parallel to an aircraft longitudinal axis, and a second passenger seat positioned to one side of the first passenger seat, in a forward-facing direction, and at an angle with respect to the aircraft longitudinal axis, wherein the second passenger seat is angled toward the first passenger seat.

BACKGROUND

The inventive concepts disclosed herein are generally directed toaircraft passenger seats and passenger seating arrangements, and moreparticularly, to an aircraft passenger seating unit and seatingarrangements including the same, each seating unit configured as awindow-facing seating unit or as an aisle-facing seating unit generallyincluding first and second laterally adjacent seats oriented at an angleto a longitudinal aircraft axis to maximum seating density withoutsacrificing comfort and privacy, among other features and advantages.

In air travel and the like, passenger cabins are commonly divided intoeconomy and premium seating classes. Economy seating classes typicallyinclude multiple rows of laterally adjacent passenger seats. Seats canbe grouped into units of two or three seats depending on the width ofthe aircraft, and laterally adjacent rows can be separated by a centeraisle that runs parallel with the longitudinal aircraft axis. Economyclass seats are forward facing, parallel to the longitudinal aircraftaxis, and can be equipped with shallow seat back recline and seat backor armrest mounted tray tables for use during flight. Comfort, seatpitch and amenities are commensurate with economy fares.

Premium seating classes such as business class, first class and superfirst class are equipped with amenities commensurate with premium fares.One such amenity is a larger, more comfortable seat configured withgreater seat recline. Seat recline can include changes in the seat backand seat bottom angles between the upright and reclined sittingpositions, and in super premium classes, seats capable of reclining toform a flat bed. Another amenity in premium seating classes is privacy,which can be enhanced by increasing seat width and spacing betweenlaterally adjacent seats.

There is a balance between seat comfort and seating density whenconfiguring both economy and premium seating classes. Conventionaleconomy class seating configurations sacrifice comfort to increaseseating density, while premium class seating configurations sacrificeseating density to increase comfort. As such, it would be desirable toprovide a passenger seat configuration and seating arrangement thatmaximizes both seating density and comfort.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to alayout of passenger seats in an aircraft cabin including a firstpassenger seat positioned in a forward-facing direction and parallel toan aircraft longitudinal axis, and a second passenger seat positioned toone side of the first passenger seat, in a forward-facing direction, andat an angle with respect to the aircraft longitudinal axis, wherein thesecond passenger seat is angled toward the first passenger seat.

In some embodiments, the layout may further include a plurality of likefirst passenger seats positioned in a first column of first passengerseats in longitudinal alignment, and a plurality of like secondpassenger seats positioned in a second column of second passenger seatsin longitudinal alignment, wherein the first and second columns areparallel.

In some embodiments, the layout may further include a privacy shellpositioned behind each of the first and second passenger seats.

In some embodiments, the layout may further include a footwell formed ina backside of each privacy shell.

In some embodiments, a video monitor and a tray table may be affixed toa backside of each privacy shell, the video monitor facing rearward andthe tray table deployable in a rearward direction.

In some embodiments, each privacy shell may include a first portionpositioned behind the respective passenger seat and a second portionextending along one side of the respective passenger seat.

In some embodiments, the first and second portions may be continuous.

In some embodiments, the privacy divider may further include a privacydivider extension configured to extend in a forward from within thesecond portion.

In some embodiments, the first and second passenger seats may beseparated by a longitudinal aisle.

In some embodiments, the first and second passenger seats may bestaggered along the aircraft longitudinal axis.

Another inventive aspect of the present disclosure is directed to alayout of passenger seats in an aircraft cabin including a plurality offirst passenger seats positioned in a first longitudinal column, each ofthe plurality of first passenger seats oriented in a forward-facingdirection and parallel to an aircraft longitudinal axis, and a pluralityof second passenger seats positioned in a second longitudinal column toone side of the first longitudinal column, each of the plurality ofsecond passenger seats oriented in a forward-facing direction and at anangle with respect to the aircraft longitudinal axis angled toward thefirst longitudinal column.

In some embodiments, the plurality of first passenger seats in the firstlongitudinal column may be longitudinally-aligned and spaced apart, andwherein the plurality of second passenger seats in the secondlongitudinal column may be longitudinally-aligned and spaced apart.

In some embodiments, the first longitudinal column and the secondlongitudinal column may be spaced apart by a longitudinal aisle parallelto the aircraft longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the layout may further include a privacy shellpositioned behind each one of the pluralities of first and secondpassenger seats.

In some embodiments, the layout may further include a footwell formed ina backside of each privacy shell.

In some embodiments, the layout may further include a video monitor anda tray table affixed to a backside of each privacy shell, the videomonitor facing rearward and the tray table deployable in a rearwarddirection.

In some embodiments, each privacy shell may include a first portionpositioned behind the respective passenger seat and a second portionextending along one side of the respective passenger seat.

In some embodiments, the first and second portions may be continuous.

In some embodiments, the privacy divider may further include a privacydivider extension configured to extend in a forward from within thesecond portion.

In some embodiments, the first and second passenger seats may bestaggered along the aircraft longitudinal axis.

Embodiments of the inventive concepts can include one or more or anycombination of the above aspects, features, and configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be betterunderstood when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the includeddrawings, which are not necessarily to scale, and in which some featuresmay be exaggerated and some features may be omitted or may berepresented schematically in the interest of clarity. Like referencenumerals in the drawings may represent and refer to the same or similarelement, feature, or function. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an aircraft passenger seating unitaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the aircraft passenger seating unitof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an exemplary aircraft passenger seatingarrangement illustrating window-facing configurations of aircraftpassenger seating units;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an exemplary aircraft passenger seatingarrangement illustrating aisle-facing configurations of aircraftpassenger seating units;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an aircraft passenger seating arrangementillustrating a seating density comparison at a first predetermined seatpitch;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an aircraft passenger seating arrangementillustrating a seating density comparison at a second predetermined seatpitch;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of an aircraft passenger seatingarrangement illustrating window-facing configurations of aircraftpassenger seating units; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of an aircraft passenger seatingarrangement illustrating both window-facing and aisle facingconfigurations of aircraft passenger seating units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The inventive concepts are described hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments are shown. However,the inventive concepts may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments setforth herein.

Referring to the figures, the inventive concepts disclosed herein aredirected to aircraft seating units configured as window-facing oraisle-facing units. Each unit includes two laterally adjacent andparallel seats oriented at an angle to the longitudinal aircraft axis.The seats are positioned such that a forwardmost extent of each seatbottom, when the seats are in the upright sitting position, residesalong a common plane perpendicular to the longitudinal aircraft axis. Inthis configuration, the seat backs therefore also align along a commonplane perpendicular to the longitudinal aircraft axis. The parallel seatalignment and angling of the seats of each seating unit relative to thelongitudinal aircraft axis enhances privacy while maximizing seatingdensity.

In addition, as an alternative to lie flat seats, each seat of theseating unit is configured to recline to achieve a deep lounge modesitting position. As used herein, the term “deep lounge mode sittingposition” refers seat recline greater than standard recline of aneconomy class seat, but short of full recline of a lie flat seat. Toaccommodate a deep lounge mode sitting position, each seating unitincludes footwells for accommodating the lower legs of an aft-seatedpassenger in a like seating unit when the aft-positioned seats arereclined to the deep lounge mode. This allows a passenger to lounge withstraight legs positioned inside the footwell, thus providing a goodalternative to a lie flat seat, as well as decreases the seat pitch tomaximize seating density.

Referring to FIG. 1, an aircraft passenger seating unit according to anexemplary embodiment is shown generally at reference numeral 100. Theaircraft passenger seating unit 100, also referred to herein as the“seating unit 100” or “aircraft seating unit 100” generally includes afirst passenger seat 102 positioned laterally adjacent a secondpassenger seat 104. As discussed in detail below, the longitudinal axisof the first passenger seat 102 is parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe second passenger seat 104, and at an angle to the longitudinalaircraft axis. Thus, the longitudinal axis of each of the first andsecond passenger seats 102, 104 is not parallel to the longitudinalaircraft axis, but is at a predetermined angle thereto.

A fixed partition 118 is positioned rearward of the first and secondpassenger seats 102, 104 and runs continuous along the full length ofthe aircraft passenger seating unit 100. A middle portion 106 of thefixed partition 118 extends forward between the first and secondpassenger seats 102, 104 about upper seat back portions thereof. Adeployable partition 108 can deploy forward from the middle portion 106as needed to further enhance privacy between the first and secondpassenger seats 102, 104.

A left armrest 110 is positioned at the left lateral extent of theaircraft passenger seating unit 100, a right armrest is positioned atthe right lateral extent of the aircraft passenger seating unit 100, anda shared armrest 114 is positioned between the first and secondpassenger seats 102, 104. The shared armrest 114 can run continuouslyfrom a height above the seat bottoms to a depth below the seat bottomsto further enhance privacy and separate the seat spaces. The fixedpartition 118 can extend continuously along the entire length of theaircraft passenger seating unit 100 and can extend upwardly from arearwardmost extent of the left, right and shared armrests to a heightabove the seat backs of the first and second passenger seats 102, 104.The first and second passenger seats 102, 104 are positioned above aplatform 116, which can cover the frame members adapted to secure theseating unit to the aircraft deck.

Referring to FIG. 2, the fixed partition 118 is elevated above theplatform 116 and serves as the mounting location for video monitors andtray tables for use by passengers seated in an aft-positioned likeseating unit. In an exemplary embodiment, behind the first passengerseat is a first video monitor 120 and a first deployable seatback traytable 122 for use by an aft-seated passenger in a like first passengerseat, and behind the second passenger seat is a second video monitor 120and a second deployable seatback tray table 122 for use by an aft-seatedpassenger in a like second passenger seat. As shown, each video monitor120 is positioned directly above the respective tray table 122 such thateach of the video monitors and tray tables are positioned at the optimalheight for their interned use.

The platform 116 extends substantially the length of the aircraftseating unit 100. A first footwell is defined in the space above theplatform 116 between the first and second passenger seats for use by apassenger seated in a like first passenger seat of a like aircraftpassenger seating unit in a longitudinally aligned aft-positioned row. Asecond footwell is defined in the space above the platform 116 to theside of the second passenger seat apart from the first passenger seatfor use by a passenger seated in a like second passenger seat of thelike aircraft passenger seating unit in the aft-positioned row. Thefirst and second footwells accommodate the feet and lower legs of theaft-seated passengers when in the upright, deep lounge, and intermediatesitting positions.

First and second ottomans 124 are positioned in the respective first andsecond footwells. Each ottoman includes a generally horizontal portion126 and an interconnected angled portion 128. The horizontal and angledportions 126, 128 can be oriented to conform to the underlying shape ofthe platform 116, and as such, the shape may vary. The horizontal andangled portions provide alternative resting locations for the feet andlower legs depending on passenger preference and sitting position. Eachof the first and second ottomans 124 may be deployable from a firstposition adjacent the platform 116 to a second position elevated abovethe platform 116. For example, the ottomans 124 may be in the loweredposition when the aft-seated passengers are in the upright sittingposition, and may be raised to the elevated position when the aft-seatedpassengers are in the deep lounge recline mode.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, exemplary passenger seating arrangementsincluding a plurality of aircraft seating units 100 are shown. Eachexemplary passenger seating arrangement generally includes spacedcolumns of seating units separated by a longitudinal aisle that runsparallel to the longitudinal aircraft axis. As shown in FIG. 3, forcomparative purposes, the first column includes longitudinally alignedrows of like aircraft passenger seating units 100 according to theinventive concepts disclosed herein, a second column of conventionalforward-facing seating units 130, and a center aisle. The aircraftseating units 100 are configured as longitudinally-aligned window-facingseating units, meaning that each of the first and second passenger seatsof each seating unit faces toward the windows adjacent the unit and notthe aisle. The aircraft seating units 100 are longitudinally aligned.

Referring to FIG. 4, the seating arrangement includes a column of rowsof conventional seating units 130 and a column of rows of aisle-facingaircraft seating units 100, such that the conventional seats are forwardfacing and the seats of the aircraft seating units 100 face in adirection of the center aisle.

While FIGS. 3 and 4 show passenger seating configurations including bothaircraft seating units according to the present invention andconventional forward-facing seats to compare seating density achievablewith each type of seating unit, it is envisioned that both seat columns,and any additional seat columns in a predetermined zone, are preferablyconfigured as all window-facing aircraft passenger seating units 100,all aisle-facing aircraft passenger seating units 100, or variouscombinations of window-facing aircraft passenger seating units andaisle-facing aircraft passenger seating units. Regardless of the facingorientation of the seating units within each column, all rows within asingle column in each seating section preferably have the same facingorientation to make use of the seat and footwell alignment to achievethe deep lounge mode sitting position and increased seating density.

Referring to FIG. 5, aisle-facing aircraft seating units 100 andconventional forward-facing seating units 130 are shown in the same zoneand at the same predetermined seat pitch. Comparing FIGS. 4 and 5,angling the aisle-facing first and second seats of the aircraft seatingunits 100 allows greater seating density as compared to the conventionalseating units 130. As shown in FIG. 5, positioning the aircraft seatingunits 100 and the conventional seating units 130 at the same firstpredetermined seat pitch results in an equal number of rows of seatingunits per predetermined longitudinal length of the aircraft. Referringto FIG. 4, utilizing the aircraft seating units 100 equipped withfootwells allows more rows of aircraft seating units 100 perpredetermined longitudinal length of the aircraft as compared toconventional forward-facing seats 130. In one particular configuration,the first and second passenger seats of the aisle-facing configurationof the aircraft seating unit 100 can be oriented at an angle to thelongitudinal aircraft axis from 12 degrees to 18 degrees, morepreferably from 14 degrees to 16 degrees, and most preferably 15degrees, at a seat pitch from 38″ to 47″.

Referring to FIG. 6, window-facing seating units 100 and conventionalforward-facing seating units 130 are shown in the same zone and at thesame predetermined seat pitch. Comparing FIGS. 3 and 6, angling thewindow-facing first and second seats of the aircraft seating units 100allows greater seating density as compared to the conventional seatingunits 130. As shown in FIG. 6, positioning the aircraft seating units100 and the conventional seating units 100 at the same firstpredetermined seat pitch results in an equal number of rows of seatingunits per predetermined longitudinal length of the aircraft. Referringto FIG. 3, utilizing the aircraft seating units 100 equipped withfootwells allows more rows of aircraft seating units 100 perpredetermined longitudinal length of the aircraft as compared toconventional forward-facing seats 130. In one particular configuration,the first and second passenger seats of the window-facing configurationof the aircraft seating unit 100 can be oriented at an angle to thelongitudinal aircraft axis degrees from 8 degrees to 14 degrees, morepreferably from 10 degrees to 12 degrees, and most preferably 11degrees, at a seat pitch from 38″ to 47″.

Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary business class seating configurationincludes two columns of aircraft seating units 100 each configured aswindow-facing aircraft seating units 100. The two columns are separatedby a center aisle and the business class configuration is positionedforward of an economy class configuration including seating units ofthree-laterally adjacent forward-facing seats. To maximize seatingdensity in the business class, the angled seating units 100 arepositioned at a predetermined seat pitch of 42″, and the angle of eachseat relative to the longitudinal aircraft axis is from 8 degrees to 14degrees, more preferably from 10 degrees to 12 degrees, and mostpreferably 11 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 8, a portion of an exemplary business seating class isconfigured with window-facing seating units 100 and aisle-facing seatingunits 100 in separate columns. The two columns are separated by anaisle. One seat in each of the aft-positioned row is shown occupied toillustrating longitudinal unit alignment and footwell use in the forwardunits to maximize seating density while achieving the deep lounge modesitting position, and the ability for the passenger to keep his/her legsstraight in the deep lounge mode.

The foregoing description provides embodiments of the invention by wayof example only. It is envisioned that other embodiments may performsimilar functions and/or achieve similar results. Any and all suchequivalent embodiments and examples are within the scope of the presentinvention and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A layout of passenger seats in an aircraft cabin,comprising: a first passenger seat positioned in a forward-facingdirection and parallel to an aircraft longitudinal axis; and a secondpassenger seat positioned to one side of the first passenger seat, in aforward-facing direction, and at an angle with respect to the aircraftlongitudinal axis, wherein the second passenger seat is angled towardthe first passenger seat.
 2. The layout of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of like first passenger seats positioned in a first column offirst passenger seats in longitudinal alignment, and a plurality of likesecond passenger seats positioned in a second column of second passengerseats in longitudinal alignment, wherein the first and second columnsare parallel.
 3. The layout of claim 2, further comprising a privacyshell positioned behind each of the first and second passenger seats. 4.The layout of claim 3, further comprising a footwell formed in abackside of each privacy shell.
 5. The layout of claim 3, furthercomprising a video monitor and a tray table affixed to a backside ofeach privacy shell, the video monitor facing rearward and the tray tabledeployable in a rearward direction.
 6. The layout of claim 3, whereineach privacy shell includes a first portion positioned behind therespective passenger seat and a second portion extending along one sideof the respective passenger seat.
 7. The layout of claim 6, wherein thefirst and second portions are continuous.
 8. The layout of claim 6,further including a privacy divider extension configured to extend in aforward from within the second portion.
 9. The layout of claim 1,wherein the first and second passenger seats are separated by alongitudinal aisle.
 10. The layout of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond passenger seats are staggered along the aircraft longitudinalaxis.
 11. A layout of passenger seats in an aircraft cabin, comprising:a plurality of first passenger seats positioned in a first longitudinalcolumn, each of the plurality of first passenger seats oriented in aforward-facing direction and parallel to an aircraft longitudinal axis;and a plurality of second passenger seats positioned in a secondlongitudinal column to one side of the first longitudinal column, eachof the plurality of second passenger seats oriented in a forward-facingdirection and at an angle with respect to the aircraft longitudinal axisangled toward the first longitudinal column.
 12. The layout of claim 11,wherein the plurality of first passenger seats in the first longitudinalcolumn are longitudinally-aligned and spaced apart, and wherein theplurality of second passenger seats in the second longitudinal columnare longitudinally-aligned and spaced apart.
 13. The layout of claim 11,wherein the first longitudinal column and the second longitudinal columnare spaced apart by a longitudinal aisle parallel to the aircraftlongitudinal axis.
 14. Th layout of claim 11, further comprising aprivacy shell positioned behind each one of the pluralities of first andsecond passenger seats.
 15. The layout of claim 14, further comprising afootwell formed in a backside of each privacy shell.
 16. The layout ofclaim 14, further comprising a video monitor and a tray table affixed toa backside of each privacy shell, the video monitor facing rearward andthe tray table deployable in a rearward direction.
 17. The layout ofclaim 14, wherein each privacy shell includes a first portion positionedbehind the respective passenger seat and a second portion extendingalong one side of the respective passenger seat.
 18. The layout of claim17, wherein the first and second portions are continuous.
 19. The layoutof claim 17, further including a privacy divider extension configured toextend in a forward from within the second portion.
 20. The layout ofclaim 11, wherein the first and second passenger seats are staggeredalong the aircraft longitudinal axis.